Jaipur Foot, the world acclaimed artificial limb, will be manufactured with Indian assistance in Angola, giving hope to 170,000 people who had lost their limbs in the civil war that ravaged the south-west African nation for over 27 years.
While the war has ended, it has left behind an acute problem of landmines. The problem is so grave that Angola is the only country in the world to have a separate ministry for landmine clearance.
Developed and manufactured in Jaipur, the 'Jaipur foot' costs about Rs 1,300 - much less than many other prosthetic limbs - while maintaining high quality. Wearing it, one can work in the fields, run, pedal a bicycle, squat on the floor or even climb a tree. In contrast, prosthesis from the West is mostly cosmetic.
"India has offered to set up a Jaipur foot unit in Luanda and the proposal will be taken forward," Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, who recently visited Angola, said.
The centre would be financed by the Indian government. Under the project, coordinators, physiotherapists, qualified prosthetic and orthotic technicians would be sent to Angola for a period of two years. The unit is expected to provide about 400 artificial limbs per month, while $ 1,82,000 worth of raw material for two years would be provided by the Indian authorities. It is proposed to hand over the centre to Angolan authorities after two years.
A senior government official said the two countries would work on details of land, power and water supply, accommodation and assistance to create awareness about the limb factory. He said Angolan authorities are keen to set up the unit since an ongoing bilateral project, financed by the European Union that till now provided the artificial limbs, is being phased out.